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  • Automaker BYD collaborates with DJI on a special project in China.
  • The Ling Yuan system adds a drone and a docking station on the roof of the vehicle.
  • The feature will soon be available as a ¥16,000 ($2,200) option for various models.

Chinese automaker BYD has launched the Ling Yuan system, which adds a drone docking station on the roof of its vehicles. The new optional feature allows owners to capture aerial shots and videos of their journey and will be priced at ¥16,000 ($2,200).

The roof-mounted drone was previewed by the Yangwang U8 SUV in 2023, but the first model to actually get it – as an option – is the more affordable Bao 8 SUV under the Fang Cheng Bao brand. The company wants to make the high-tech feature accessible to a wider audience, meaning it will be available for multiple BYD-owned brands.

More: Existing BYD Owners Furious After Car Prices Drop And Features Get Better

The Ling Yuan system was developed in collaboration with Chinese drone maker DJI. It includes a 4K drone and a docking station, covering an area of 0.29 m2 (3.1 square feet) on the roof of the vehicle. This drone hangar has an aerodynamic shape and measures 215 mm (8.5 inches) tall.

With a press of a button, the device opens its doors and raises its platform, allowing the drone to take off. This process can take place even on the move, at speeds of up to 25 km/h (16 mph). Then, the drone is able to follow the “mothership” at speeds of up to 54 km/h (34 mph), capturing footage of the surrounding area.

Fang Cheng Bao Bao 8

When the shooting is over, the drone returns to the roof-mounted hangar, where it automatically charges. According to the company, a 20-80% charge takes 30 minutes, so occupants don’t have to wait long before the next flight.

The drone can be controlled directly from the infotainment display of the vehicle, or through the Ling Yuan App that is available for smartphones. Furthermore, AI software makes it easier to organise and edit the footage, so it can be shared on your favorite social media platform.

Besides the Yangwang U8 and the Fang Cheng Bao Bao 8, other models that have already been shown with the system on their roofs include the Fang Cheng Bao Bao 5, Titanium 3, Denza N9, BYD Tang L, and BYD Sealion 07 DM-i. This list is expected to grow further in the future, with additional models.

At the moment, it is unclear whether BYD plans on offering the Ling Yuan system to other markets outside China.

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Photos and Videos: BYD / Weibo